Barns & Equipment

There has been much press lately about how our nation’s roads and bridges are badly in need of repairs or replacement. Recent bridge collapses are prime examples of how bad things can get when maintenance and replacements are forgone in the face of financial strains.

It is imperative for the success of a robotic milking operation that its cows consistently have healthy legs and hooves with minimal lameness. After all, they need to stand and move about the barn for things to work, regardless of the cow flow system in use.

There is no middle ground. If your workday involves the regular use of a pickup truck, one will either see it as a necessary evil or as a marvelous do-everything machine the universe cannot exist without.

The old adage, “You are what you eat” has never been more relevant than when talking about dairy cattle. In fact, few would disagree quality silage is the most important feed source for dairy cattle.

As you’re working to improve cow comfort on your dairy, keep in mind what’s comfortable for you is not always comfortable for your cows. Dairy cows experience mild levels of heat stress when the temperature index is as low as 72ºF (see Table 1).

With today’s milk prices, you’re likely trying to find new places to save money on your dairy. While you work to tighten your farm’s belt, regular maintenance of the milking system is an area of your budget to protect.